[Federal Register: April 12, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 70)]
[Notices]
[Page 19213]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ap04-66]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of final Comprehensive Conservation Plan
for Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Located in Noxubee, Oktibbeha,
and Winston Counties, Mississippi.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is
available for distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and
describes how the refuge will be managed for the next 15 years. The
compatibility determinations for recreational hunting, recreational
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education
and interpretation, forest habitat management, haying, and research and
collections are also available within the plan.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the plan may be obtained by writing to the Noxubee
National Wildlife Refuge, 224 Office Road, Brooksville, Mississippi
39739. The plan may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service's
Internet Web Site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, located in
east-central Mississippi, consists of 47,959 acres, of which 42,500
acres are in bottomland hardwood, upland hardwood, mixed pine/hardwood
and pine forests. These forests support a variety of upland species
including turkey, deer, and quail. The endangered red-cockaded
woodpecker is found in the refuge's old-growth pine habitat. Many
neotropical bird species benefit from refuge forests. Greentree
reservoirs, natural ponds, and man-made impoundments provide important
habitat for migratory birds, as well as wintering habitat for waterfowl
and bald eagles. Annually, more than 150,000 visitors participate in
refuge activities.
The availability of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment for a 60-day public review and comment period
was announced in the Federal Register on May 21, 2003, volume 68,
number 98. The plan and environmental assessment identified and
evaluated three alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15
years. Alternative 1, the ``no action'' alternative, would have
continued current management of the refuge. Alternative 2, the
``preferred alternative'' emphasized old growth forest communities,
with increased emphasis on education and recreation programs.
Alternative 3 emphasized providing early successional forest habitat
and increases in certain education and recreation programs.
Based on the environmental assessment and the comments received,
Alternative 2, the ``preferred alternative,'' was selected for
implementation. It was selected because it best meets the purposes and
goals of the refuge, as well as the goals of the National Wildlife
Refuge System. The preferred alternative will also benefit the public
by providing opportunities to learn about, enjoy, and appreciate fish
and wildlife. The preferred alternative also emphasizes providing
habitat for red-cockaded woodpeckers and forest nesting birds dependent
on mature forests and adequate habitat for resident and migratory
waterfowl. A comprehensive cultural resources' survey will be conducted
under this alternative, and protection and interpretation of cultural
resources will be improved.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, Noxubee National
Wildlife Refuge, telephone: 662/323-5548; fax: 662/323-5806; e-mail:
noxubee@fws.gov; or by writing to the Refugee Manager at the above
address.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: November 14, 2003.
J. Mitch King,
Acting Regional Director.
Editoral Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on April 7, 2004.
[FR Doc. 04-8191 Filed 4-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4316-55-M